La Mesa, CA Demographics

A map of La Mesa's Population by Race

La Mesa, California has an estimated population of 60,797, a less than 1% change from the 61,121 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.8% White, 27.9% Hispanic, 7.7% Black, 6.9% Multiracial, 5.9% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of La Mesa, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

La Mesa has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In La Mesa, that probability was 63.6% in 2020 and 65.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

La Mesa is ranked the 152nd most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). La Mesa was ranked the 154th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

La Mesa's White Population

30,863 residents of La Mesa, or 50.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in La Mesa is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. La Mesa ranks 892nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's White population has declined by an estimated 5.5%. White residents' share of La Mesa's population has decreased from 53.4% to 50.8%.

La Mesa is more White than neighboring Lemon Grove (26.9% White), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (36.9% White), and La Presa (23.5% White). La Mesa is less White than neighboring Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (60.7% White), and El Cajon (51.9% White).

La Mesa's Black Population

4,689 residents of La Mesa, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in La Mesa is slightly higher than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. La Mesa ranks 150th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's Black population has grown by an estimated 18.6%. Black residents' share of La Mesa's population has increased from 6.5% to 7.7%.

La Mesa is more Black than neighboring Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (2.7% Black), and El Cajon (5.8% Black). La Mesa is less Black than neighboring Lemon Grove (12% Black), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (11.2% Black), and La Presa (11.4% Black).

La Mesa's Asian Population

3,579 residents of La Mesa, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in La Mesa is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. La Mesa ranks 399th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's Asian population has declined by an estimated 9.0%. Asian residents' share of La Mesa's population has decreased from 6.4% to 5.9%.

La Mesa is more Asian than neighboring Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (3.1% Asian), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (5.3% Asian), and El Cajon (5.3% Asian). La Mesa is less Asian than neighboring Lemon Grove (10% Asian), and La Presa (9.3% Asian).

La Mesa's Hispanic Population

16,961 residents of La Mesa, or 27.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in La Mesa is considerably lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. La Mesa ranks 743rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.1%. Hispanic residents' share of La Mesa's population has increased from 25.7% to 27.9%.

La Mesa is more Hispanic than neighboring Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (26.3% Hispanic). La Mesa is less Hispanic than neighboring Lemon Grove (45.4% Hispanic), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (40.7% Hispanic), La Presa (50.3% Hispanic), and El Cajon (29% Hispanic).

La Mesa's Native American/Other Population

539 residents of La Mesa, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in La Mesa is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. La Mesa ranks 700th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 36.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of La Mesa's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

La Mesa is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lemon Grove (0.7% Native American/Other). La Mesa is less Native American/Other than neighboring Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (2.2% Native American/Other), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (1.1% Native American/Other), La Presa (1.6% Native American/Other), and El Cajon (1.3% Native American/Other).

La Mesa's Multiracial Population

4,166 residents of La Mesa, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in La Mesa is slightly higher than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. La Mesa ranks 340th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, La Mesa's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Multiracial residents' share of La Mesa's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.9%.

La Mesa is more Multiracial than neighboring Lemon Grove (5% Multiracial), Casa de Oro-Mount Helix (4.9% Multiracial), Spring Valley CDP (San Diego County) (4.8% Multiracial), La Presa (4% Multiracial), and El Cajon (6.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.